Please Follow These “Responsible” Lighting Guidelines:
- Turn on outside lights Only When Needed, use timers and motion sensors.
- Keep ALL Outdoor lights shining Downward, no light above the horizontal.
- Use the Right Amount of light for the task at hand, more is not better.
- Use light sources (lamps) under 3,500K (warmer colors) for ALL outside lights
Over 2,200 Student Research Projects at SARSEF – March 2020
SARSEF is still happening but due to Covid it is all online including the judging.
A Wonderful Poem “Saving the Desert’s Dark Skies” . Presented to the IDA at their Annual General Meeting held in December, 2016. By Xander, an inspired 6th grade student. (read)
How Much Light Pollution Do You Have Where You Live? See map, then.. pan and zoom in/out for any part of the world. The map legend shows two sets of readings. The dots are the colors with corresponding ranges, same values when measuring sky brightness using the handheld Sky Quality Meter (SQM).
Astronomy in Southern Arizona – Light Pollution, especially in Southern Arizona, must be kept in check or better yet reduced to protect our astronomy and optics industry which is estimated to be over $500 Million per year. A high salary clean industry, what more could you ask for!
Kitt Peak National Observatory, part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Located about 50 miles SW of Tucson, they operate 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes.
The Mirror Lab, housed in the U of A football stadium, consists of a team of scientists and engineers who make giant, lightweight mirrors of unprecedented power for a new generation of optical telescopes. These are the largest and most precise telescope mirrors in the world, up to 8.4 meters (27.7 feet) in diameter. Tours are available, see our Links page.
University of Arizona Football Stadium Lighting – A replacement of the football stadium field lights to be able to broadcast in High Definition. Added twice as much light on the field from a more downward angle. Using Musco full cut off fixtures they saved 25% electricity costs, light spill out of the stadium was significantly reduced (about 60%) as well as light in the faces of the spectators (glare) greatly reduced. Lighting projects need to be engineered with minimal Light Pollution as a driving factor.
Our Gratitude to Project Sponsors
Our work at SA-IDA is possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of our supporters. Their commitment enables us to develop long-term community programs, provide essential assistance to vulnerable groups, and expand initiatives that create real, measurable impact.
We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of modern digital platforms that help strengthen online engagement and support charitable outreach. For example, interactive creator tools such as Watch streams allow communities to connect, educate, and raise awareness in new meaningful ways.
In addition, innovative technology companies like Blings continue to demonstrate how digital solutions can empower non-profit projects by improving communication, accessibility, and transparency across international audiences.
We are also grateful for the support of organizations from diverse industries, including entertainment hubs such as McPhillips Casino, whose engagement highlights the importance of cross-sector cooperation in strengthening social and humanitarian missions.
Thanks to all our partners, donors, and supporters, SA-IDA can continue building sustainable programs and reaching communities that rely on our help. Together, we create meaningful change.
Our parent IDA organization has a very comprehensive web site.
last updated: 5/02/22